Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Sirak's May 2017 Update! (Thank you so much for your support!)

My friends! My Team!

Thank you so much for your support and partnership! May was a fun month full of stories and memories of God's faithfulness. As the school year ended, we geared up for SICM (Student Institute of Campus Ministry) and the students that we invited grew so much. During SICM, our students learned how to be missionaries on their college campuses while still students. I remember in 2009 when I went as a student I had no clue what God's vision for his campuses were and 8 years later I am forever grateful for the SICM experience and the CCF Chi Alpha staff that had the vision to begin hosting SICM conferences those 20+ years ago!

I hope that the pictures below are encouraging and a glimpse into what your support has gone towards. God is building bridges and connections with so many students, pastors, parents, and professors due to your support and prayers. Thank you for walking side-by-side with me on this campus missionary journey. I am excited to re-commit another 4-years of my life to helping make disciples on God's college campuses! 

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like prayer for anything in your life. Please be praying for our FOCUS staff as we prayerfully consider student leaders for this fall. These are students that will commit to leading small groups, meeting up 1/1 with their fellow classmates, and helping build God's kingdom on his campus!  

Enjoy the photos below:


The first Monday of every month I have had the privilege to meet up with other campus pastors in the DFW area to pray, fellowship, and share in what God is doing. Tom (yellow shirt) has facilitated this group and has had a big heart for bringing together pastors to encourage and share with!

My roommates (left to right: Brandon, Peter, and Rhett)! Sadly, our lease is coming to an end and we are all going our separate ways. Rhett (far right) will be heading to Denton to begin his year as a FOCUS apprentice at U. of North Texas! I have loved getting to work on staff with Brandon and Peter!

Jesse (middle) and Kufre (far right) have been a pair of students that I have had the privilege to meet with weekly. They lead a small group men's bible study at UT Dallas and these guys are wonderful to work with :) They are bright, godly, and very teachable. They have impacted so many students through their service in God's kingdom. Thanks guys!

While in Washington for SICM, Sarah King (our UTA campus pastor) and I took a trip up to Vancouver, Canada to interview Dr. Iain Provan, professor of Old Testament studies @ Regent College. Our interview was for our FOCUS Podcast! Follow us on instagram/twitter for podcast info!

Our 2017 SICM group during early-morning worship!

This summer, our FOCUS summer meetings have been such a fun ministry to be a part of. We have so many students stay in town for the summer and we provide them with a place to continue fellowshipping and growing together! We combine with all of our other FOCUS campuses so it is great to see all of the familiar faces :)

This week at church we did our annual baby-dedication. God has been showing me that campus ministry is about vision and perseverance. My dream is that all of these babies would be a part of a campus organization that is dedicated to making disciples for Jesus' glory. I turn 29 in one month and I am blown away at just how quickly time passes. I know that in just a short amount of time these babies will be freshmen walking onto campus for the first time trying to find where they belong. My prayer is that we would be the first people welcoming them on campus when they show up :)

Thank you so much for your support and believing in me all of these years. Five years ago I was just a lowly intern without an idea of what God wanted to do and as I look back I am deeply encouraged and reminded of God's faithfulness through the students that I've befriended and, mostly, through your partnership and consistency. Thank you and *raises glass*, here's to another 4 years!

Your brother and campus missionary,

Sirak!